As the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial continues, the former Pirates of the Caribbean star is set to take the stand. Deadline reports that Depp will testify on Tuesday in the bitter courtroom battle that has had cameras recording the proceedings and streaming them live every step of the way. The embattled actor will tell his side of the story about his ex-wife Amber Heard's allegations that he'd abused her during their marriage, alleging that Heard fabricated stories of domestic abuse that have had a detrimental effect on Depp's career.
Depp will return to the stand on Wednesday for cross-examination. Meanwhile, Depp's friend Keenan Wyatt will also testify on Tuesday on behalf of the actor about what he saw. It's also expected that Heard will testify during the trial with a who's-who of other celebrities joining the mix. Actors Paul Bettany and James Franco, as well as famous billionaire Elon Musk, are also scheduled to get involved.
While Depp's lawyers are hoping to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Heard defamed her ex-husband, what's certain is that the allegations have tarnished his career. The public legal battle can be traced back to when the couple divorced in 2016 with Heard alleging that she'd been physically and verbally abused by Depp. This resulted in a lot of negative publicity for Depp which the actor says resulted in his firing from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Perhaps it would have ended there, but the feud escalated in 2018 when Heard published an op-ed for The Washington Post referring to herself as a survivor of domestic abuse. While she did not name Depp in the op-ed, Depp says the implication was clear given how the publicity surrounding their divorce. In the UK, Depp sued the company behind the tabloid magazine The Sun after labeling him a "wife-beater" based on Heard's allegations. When the judge ruled against him in that battle, Depp was asked to resign from his role in Fantastic Beasts 3, another blow to the actor's career. To make matters worse for him, Depp's appeal was later denied.
Johnny Depp Has Faced Some Career Setbacks
Johnny Depp's defamation trial in the U.S. is a bit different, as he is suing Heard directly after choosing not to name The Washington Post part of the lawsuit. He is asking for $50 million in damages, though Heard has countersued Depp for $100 million, insisting that Depp's the one defaming her by claiming to be innocent. While a judge decided the matter in the UK, Depp and his lawyers will be arguing their case in front of a jury this time around.
Not everyone has cut ties with Depp. Dior still works with the actor, and fans have praised the company for standing by him. Depp also provides the voice of the lead character in the new animated series Puffins Impossible, which was just released this month. Meanwhile, Heard can next be seen reprising the role of Mera in the sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom when it is released in 2023.
The Johnny Depp trial can be found streaming live at the official website for Court TV.